What size Metzler 880's on a GS1150?

[wanderer]

I went to Denver to wish the '05 Iron Butt contestants well Sunday and to take notes on farkles. It was interesting to see bikes from new to 180K in the lot (that I saw). It was also interesting to see so many bikes in one place ALL with nubbs on the tires. One thing I decided from my day was I'm switching to ME880's for my next set of tires on my 1150GS. I got input from several people including Voni Glaves. What a wonderful soul she is!!

So my question is; what size 880's for a GS? There doesn't seem to be a direct size swap from factory spec. HELP!! :dunno

[knary]

I went to Denver to wish the '05 Iron Butt contestants well Sunday and to take notes on farkles. It was interesting to see bikes from new to 180K in the lot (that I saw). It was also interesting to see so many bikes in one place ALL with nubbs on the tires. One thing I decided from my day was I'm switching to ME880's for my next set of tires on my 1150GS. I got input from several people including Voni Glaves. What a wonderful soul she is!!

So my question is; what size 880's for a GS? There doesn't seem to be a direct size swap from factory spec. HELP!! :dunno

What are you currently using?
Just curious.

[wanderer]

110/80 19 front and 150/70 17 rear. Both Metzler Tourance. Thanks for asking, I should have said that in the first place. My tire source (dealer) just isn't a reliable source of information for things like this. I don't want to affect any handleing characteristics by straying too far from factory spec.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Will the GS really take bigger tyres? I have changed two sets on my Adventure now and it does not seem that the rear will allow too much bigger before it interferes with the paralever, and the front looks as though the mudguard would need to be notched to raise it to change the profile size although the width looks as though you could probably take it to a 120.

I am also curious...what did you see in Denver that made you so desire to upgrade tyres if I may ask?

[lorazepam]

Will the GS really take bigger tyres? I have changed two sets on my Adventure now and it does not seem that the rear will allow too much bigger before it interferes with the paralever, and the front looks as though the mudguard would need to be notched to raise it to change the profile size although the width looks as though you could probably take it to a 120.

I am also curious...what did you see in Denver that made you so desire to upgrade tyres if I may ask?

the 880's seem to be the tire of choice for the distance riders. They get a lot longer mileage from them. If you want truly long mileage from a tire and are not brand loyal, try Cheng Shen. They make more tires than the other manufacturers all put together and you just cant seem to wear them out.

Dunlop K491's will last forever too if you dont want chinese names on the sides of your tires. (like they arent made there already, or will be)

[kbasa]

Tourances will usually go 12K or so. That's not enough mileage?

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Cheng-Shen...I placed a couple of those on my wife's old Virago and they worked great and seemed to handle well too. I was a little dubious about putting them on an elephant like a GSA though...I guess it is just a hang-up based upon the old belief that crap was made in China and Taiwan...of course we know that is not true now and so time to explore options...I know the prices of those things are dirt cheap compared to dunlops etc. Well for now winter is around the corner and it will be time to put the TKC80's back on for the real riding fun. I love distance riding but I will trade a 1000 road miles for a 100 miles on logging trails in northern michigan...hehehehe...can't wait.

Thanks for the explanation though lorezpam, I will keep this in mind for the next road season when I need new rubber. :bikes

[YB in IN]

I think that Cheng-Shen changed their name to Maxxis didn't they?

[lorazepam]

I think that Cheng-Shen changed their name to Maxxis didn't they?

Maxxis is the "high performance" division of cheng Shen. Seems that the rocket Boyz will put maxxis tires on their bikes, but not cheng shen. they can also charge more money for them.

[wanderer]

I just returned from a pilgrimage to Shasta Lake, Cal. I bet many of you can figure out what I was doing there! The reason for the post is so many Iron Butt GS1150 riders had 880's on their machines. I thought I'd give a set a try. What I didn't stop to look at is what size they were useing.

I left for Cal. with new (as in 200 miles new) Tourances. They are just starting to square off the rear at 3.600 miles. !,400 miles of slab on the way out and the remaining 2,200 on 2 lane on the way back. The last few sets I have run, which is the last 14 months, I have gotten between 6,000 and 9,000 miles. Several folks I spoke with at the Iron Butt said they felt they gave up nothing ON THE STREET by switching from Tourances, both rain or shine, but got considerably better mileage from the 880's. The front 880 looked almost the same and the rear seemed to be slightly wider.

I am 200 pounds and when touring I probably have another 30 pounds of gear and bags. I run my Tourances at 40 front and rear at the recommendation of my master wrench. With this pressure I have had no cupping since the first set. I air my tires EVERY morning when touring. So that's the whole story. Any thought's on sizes???

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Hi & welcome back. I checked into the Metzlers and it seems as though 160 is the smallest size that would work for GS based upon the catalogs in the classifieds in Motorcyclist magazine. This is interesting, I have read some more stuff and these tyres really seem to be the hot choice for sure...next summer I will need these I am guessing. For the winter though I will be on TKC80s again or the Karoo for the mud and snow.